Corvette convention attracts crowds to new Tinley center
BY A.JAY WAGNER Correspondent June 19, 2011 11:08PM
People look at Corvettes on display at the downtown Metra station after the cars paraded up Oak Park Avenue during the National Council Corvette Club's 52nd annual convention in Tinley Park, IL on Sunday June 19, 2011 | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 26, 2011 12:53AM
The expansive parking lots of the Tinley Park Convention Center were chock full of sleek, brightly painted Corvettes of nearly every shape and size. Some arrived in hulking trailers, too valuable to risk the wear and tear of the open road. Huge displays were arranged inside and outside of the convention center offering anything a gearhead could dream.
The reason for the crowd was the 52nd annual National Convention of Corvette Clubs, and the gathering was one of the first true test runs of the newly-renovated Tinley Park Convention Center.
Larry Pagliaro, the convention’s co-director, said the facilities had allowed the seamless influx of nearly 700 Corvette enthusiasts, filling local bars and restaurants and selling out a number of local hotels.
“The facilities are phenomenal,” said Pagliaro, an Oak Forest resident. “From top to bottom, everything has been first class. From the mayor to the village council, it’s turning out to have been a great decision.”
Pagliaro’s co-director, Dave Heinemenn, said the wide open spaces of the convention center and ample parking were key in bringing the event to the convention center, though he did mention had the turnout been a bit higher, parking would have become an issue.
“Thus far everything has been great,” said Heinemenn. “We’ve had an excellent turnout and we really couldn’t ask for anything better. Parking could have been a problem, but gas prices may have scared away a few.”
The duo, who have collectively attended more than 40 national conventions, knew the wide-open spaces of the expanded and remodeled convention center was the right place for their gathering.
“We looked at places in Joliet and Oak Brook, but we knew immediately where we wanted to hold the event. The renovation certainly made the decision easier,” said Pagliaro, who mentioned planning has been in the works since August of 2008.
A trio from the Des Moines, Iowa, area sat inside the convention center, taking in the atmosphere. Allan Heggen, of Altoona, Iowa, said the facilities stack up with the best of what he’s seen since he’s been attending since 1974.
“This place is flawless,” said Heggen. “It’d be hard to beat a place like this.”
Tony DiMaio, a first time attendee from Des Moines, was surprised by the immensity of the show.
“It certainly has exceeded my expectations,” said DiMaio.
Dave Vance, of Ankeny, Iowa, voiced the one reoccurring concern of convention-goers — he had a tough time finding a hotel room.
“That’d be my only complaint,” said Vance. “It took me a couple of tries to find a place, and I’m staying a little further away than I would have liked.”
Wally Ekstrom, of Crete, and George Magyer, of Steger, both owners of A-model Corvettes, came to see all the cars.
“We just came up to see what they’re offering,” said Ekstrom. “It’s a really neat thing for the area to host.”
“Just by looking around, you notice extra people all around,” added Magyer. “It’s got to be good for the local economy, because you know Corvette owners have money to spend.”
Rallies and events will continue to be held in the Tinley Park area until the convention winds down on Friday.
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